The department of Biomedical Engineering comprises 40 researchers and focuses on the development of technology for cardiovascular diagnosis and therapy. The Biomechanics Laboratory (http://www2.erasmusmc.
nl/ThoraxcenterBME/bml/) is part of Biomedical Engineering and its research mainly focuses on the influence of biomechanical parameters on the development and progression of atherosclerosis.

Rupture of atherosclerotic plaques in large arteries is responsible for life threatening cardiovascular events,
including myocardial infarction and stroke. In this project, vulnerable plaques in the carotid arteries of genetically
modified mice will be studied. In vitro imaging experiments will be carried out to measure pressure induced deformation and rupture of plaques by means of high resolution MRI. The in vitro experiments will be used to
validate a biomechanical finite element model of atherosclerotic plaques. The validated biomechanical plaque model will be used to study plaques in mice in vivo. A pharmacological intervention will induce hypertension, which will lead to plaque rupture and we will investigate whether the biomechanical model of the plaque can be used to predict the location of plaque rupture. The PhD candidate will carry out the imaging studies in collaboration with University of Leiden, and she/he will apply the finite element model, which will be developed with the TUDelft.

University Graduate
Applicants have a master’s degree in engineering, preferably in biomedical engineering, physics, electrical or mechanical engineering, or applied mathematics. Basic understanding of imaging techniques and affinity with biomechanics are requirements. Since this project will require collaboration with many investigators from various
backgrounds, good communicational skills are a prerequisite.

Erasmus MC

Het Erasmus MC is een uiterst veelzijdig universitair medisch centrum. Waar onderzoek, onderwijs en patiëntenzorg zijn samengebracht. Waar samenwerking, initiatief en resultaatgericht werken passen bij de ambities van het Erasmus MC. Beter worden.

Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 4 years
Maximum hours per week: 36

Additional conditions of employment:
Your gross salary is based on our collective labour agreement for University Medical Centers and starts at € 2.007,- gross per month up to € 2.572,- gross per month in the fourth year.

 
Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links.

For further details on the position, please contact Dr.ir. Frank Gijsen, telephonenumber +31 10 704 4039, e-mail

You can apply for this job before 07-11-2008 by sending your application to:

Please send your application and CV to Erasmus MC, attn. Mrs. S. Bender, room Bd 587 Thoraxcenter, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, vacancynumber 37.11.08.C9 on the letter and envelope, or by
email to

When applying for this job always mention the vacancy number AT-37.11.08.C9.